A WALK TO REMEMBER

Summary – The summer before his fifth year, Harry Potter stumbles across his father's old journal from his seventh year at Hogwarts and he reads about the continuous adventures of him, the Marauders, and his mother, Lily Evans; how they met, how they fell in love, and what brought them to their horrendous deaths. This story is based on the movie and book called A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks.

Disclaimer – Unfortunately, I own absolutely nothing. All of the characters and their names belong to author JK Rowling and the plot and character traits belong to Warner Brother's and author Nicholas Sparks.

Chapter 14 – Two Miracles:

Harry shut the book with a snap.

The whole room seemed to be spinning and Harry found himself breathing heavily. He had not even noticed that while reading he had become severely sweaty and his hands and legs were shaking and trembling violently. The shock…the feelings that he was feeling were overwhelming. In truth, Harry carefully placed the journal at his side and allowed himself to process everything that he had read.

His father's journal had explained everything; absolutely everything. It explained why his parents had gone into hiding while he was a baby. It explained why Voldemort wanted him dead in the first place; it was because he, along with his mother, was the Heir of Godric Gryffindor.

Harry could not believe how much his parents had through just to be together. From what Harry had gathered from the journal, his father would have done anything for him and his mother. And what was even better, his parents had grown to love him just as much as they had loved each other. It absolutely thrilled Harry to see how much his parents had loved each other. But at the same time, it made him feel miserable; almost like he had missed out on something. It felt like he had missed out on the love that his parents had shared with one another and the love that they obviously had for him.

After what seemed like several hours of just sitting in the attic, Harry looked out of the window to see that it had finally turned dark and the Dursley's would be returning home shortly. In order to avoid any confrontation with them, Harry slowly put everything back into the small box and placed the lid on top before stuffing it under his oversized t-shirt and running to his room. He carefully placed the box gently into his trunk before taking out some parchment and a quill.

Without really thinking about, Harry decided that he would write to Dumbledore.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

I recently found my father's old journal hidden in the attic of the Dursley's and read it.

I know everything. I know I am the Heir of Gryffindor and why Voldemort is after me. I understand why my parents were murdered. The one thing that infuriates me right now is that I should have had to find out through a journal; you, Sirius, or Remus should have told me. I assume that Sirius and Remus did not tell me under your orders. If that's the case then you should have been the one to tell. I feel you took a coward's way out in regards to this situation and I'm very frustrated with the whole matter.

However, there is a specific reason why I wrote to you. My father never wrote about or mentioned what happened to Parker Starkson, my mum's uncle and my great-uncle. What ever happened to him? If he's still alive or if he passed away, either way, I'd like to know.

Please owl me back as soon as possible.

Harry Potter

Harry sent the letter with Hedwig and patiently…or rather impatiently…waited for his response.

It took almost a week before Harry received any word from Dumbledore.

Dear Harry,

I received your owl and I understand your frustration. I'm sorry you had to find out about your parents' deaths and heritage this way. It was my intention for your Aunt Petunia to read it and explain it to you before having you read it yourself. But, I suppose my naivety had me overlook my good sense.

I can't imagine how lost and confused you must be feeling. But, unfortunately there is nothing I can do to make this disappear. The only medicine that I may offer is that you do have the opportunity to meet with your great-uncle, Parker Starkson.

Yes, Parker Starkson is very much alive and healthy. He has agreed to meet you; in fact, he has been asking persistently to see you since your parents' deaths. But, I forbade it until now; I knew you were not ready.

Sirius and I will pick you up on Saturday evening at 4:00 PM so you can meet him. We shall see you then.

Sincerely yours,

Professor Dumbledore

After reading it, Harry crumpled up the letter and held it tightly and nervously in his fist. He could not believe that he was going to meet his great-uncle, Parker Starkson; the same man who had practically raised his mother; the man who was like his mum's father. If anything, Harry felt like he was going to be meeting his grandfather rather than his great-uncle.

Today was Saturday.

Harry got up early and quickly changed into semi-appropriate clothing; it was only semi-appropriate because everything he owned was once Dudley's and was much too big for him. After changing, he made an attempt to try fixing hair but after several minutes, realized it was a lost cause.

Suddenly the doorbell rang…

Harry, Sirius (in Animagus form), and Dumbledore all Apparated in front of a tiny cottage made of rocks that settled deep within the cliffs of Ireland; cleverly hidden from view. It was clear that Parker Starkson was also taking hiding from Lord Voldemort since his return very seriously. Harry stared at in awe as he took a deep breath.

"I know the house seems a bit odd; being hidden in the cliffs," explained Dumbledore, reflecting Harry's thoughts. "But, Parker feels it is best to also stay off of the radar with Voldemort having returned to power. Well, go on, Harry. He's expecting you and I must say, he is most eager…" Harry did not say anything; he merely nodded as he stroked Sirius behind the ears. It was more to comfort himself than anything; just to remind himself that Sirius was with him.

"Sirius, will you go up with me?" Harry asked timidly. Even though he knew the dog was his godfather, he still felt funny talking to one. But, Sirius barked his consent and followed his godson up the path through the little garden filled with lilies in the front yard. Harry nervously rang the doorbell and took a deep breath, running his fingers through his messy hair. Sirius never left his side.

Behind the door, Harry could hear loud thumping noises, as though someone was walking on a cane. The door opened and standing before Harry was a tall, skinny man, looking like he was in late sixties, though in truth he was nearly in eighties; he looked good, strong, and healthy. The only thing that made him actually look his age was the gold cane he was leaning on.

It was Parker Starkson. And when his old, tired eyes landed on Harry, he gasped and almost fell over with his cane.

"Harry?" he gasped.

"Hello Uncle Parks," said Harry smiling, remembering the nickname his mother had used for him when she was young; from what he remembered from the journal.

"Merlin, you like you could be James's clone!" he choked out, putting his hand over his heart as he stared wide-eyed at Harry. "Except…those eyes….they are identical to Lily's. They're just as beautiful as hers…"

"Yeah I get that a lot," said Harry smiling. Parker chuckled.

"Please, come on in, Harry," he said politely, standing away from the door so that he could come in. "But could you please leave the dog outside? I am highly allergic…ridiculous Muggle genes…"

"Oh…yeah…sure…yeah, mo problem," said Harry, though he seemed uncertain and unsure. But he did not want to make a poor impression so he looked at Sirius pleadingly. Without a word, the dog turned around and walked back towards Dumbledore. Closing the door behind him, Harry followed his great-uncle into a small, but comfortable, homey looking living room. As Harry was looking around, taking in the home he had just entered, he felt himself being held in a tight embrace. He even choked slightly.

"Uncle Parks?" he choked out.

"Oh Merlin, Harry!" Parker cried as he buried his face in his messy, black hair. "You have no idea how long…how much I've wanted to meet you!"

"And I you..."

Harry and Parker just hugged each other tightly as Parker cried into Harry's hair. Harry felt rather awkward, but he did not have it in him to pull away. With the exception of Mrs. Weasley, Harry could never remember being embraced like this and there was a part of him that did not want to lose it; to have Parker let him go.

"I want to give you something," said Parker bluntly, coming out of the embrace. "Please, sit down." He gestured towards the lumpy sofa and Harry took a seat as Parker limped over to a small bookshelf on the other side of the living room. "Dumbledore told me that you've read your father's journal. Is that right, Harry?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Do you remember the passage about love that your mum was always enjoyed reading?" asked Parker, taking a small book off of the shelf. "It was the same passage that was read at your parents' wedding."

"Yes, I remember," said Harry, starting to feel uncomfortable. This all seemed so formal and he was not sure how to act and think.

"Well, here's the book that they read it from," said Parker as he limped over and handed Harry a small leather book. Harry took and held it gently, as though he would break it if he squeezed it too hard.

"Th-thank you," he gasped, genuinely touched over Parker's gift.

"There's no need to thank me, Harry," said Parker, smiling. "Your mother would have wanted you to have it…and I want you to have it. It should be yours." Harry just nodded and looked through the book, reading some passages and glancing at some pictures. Finally, towards the end of the book, he saw his mother's yearbook picture in it and underneath the photo, it said 'Ambition: To witness a miracle.'

"Uncle Parks," said Harry, as he let his fingers gingerly touch his mother's face in the photo, "it says here that my mum's ambition was to witness a miracle."

"So it was…"

"That's such a great ambition," said Harry, his voice trailing off. "I'm sorry she achieved it…"

"Excuse me?" asked Parker, sounding almost shocked.

"I…I'm…I'm just sorry that she never got her miracle," whispered Harry, looking almost ashamed as he looked down at the carpet. As a result, he did not notice Parker looking at him with an incredulous look on his face. Parker gave a weak chuckle.

"Harry," he said gently, putting his hand over his great-nephew's hand. "You misunderstand: Lily did get her miracle. In fact, she got something better than a miracle…she got two miracles."

"She did?"

"Yes, you and your father; you were her miracle Harry…you and James…" Parker said, his own voice also trailing off in a tender and gentle tone.

Harry smiled at his feet with tears welling up in his eyes. Through this experience, he had come to realize that his parents were truly wonderful people. They were two people who had sincerely loved one another and who had loved him. They would have done anything for him; they sacrificed everything for him. Harry knew that this reading this journal had been a genuine experience; he got to learn and discover his parents' journey through life together and there was no greater gift he could have been given.

Harry also knew that reading his father's journal had also been a personal journey of his own. Life is full of journeys; walks. And learning about his parents and his heritage had been one of his many walks of life; a walk to remember.

And remember he would.

*THE END*

There's a hero

If you look inside your heart

You don't have to be afraid

Of what you are

There's an answer

If you reach into your soul

And the sorrow that you know

Will melt away

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And you'll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you

It's a long road

When you face the world alone

No one reaches out a hand

For you to hold

You can find love

If you search within yourself

And the emptiness you felt

Will disappear

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And you'll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you

Lord knows

Dreams are hard to follow

But don't let anyone take them away

Hold on

There will be tomorrow

In time you'll find the way

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And you'll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you

("Hero" – Mariah Carey)

This is the end of my A Walk to Remember story! I hope everyone enjoyed the story along with the revisions. A big thank you goes out to all those who have read and reviewed because you're the ones who keep the story alive! Thank you again!

*The Jitterbelle*